Thai Court Precedent Could Mean Harsher Penalties for Abbots

Thai Court Precedent Could Triple Penalties for Abbots Convicted of Embezzlement

A Supreme Court precedent has reaffirmed that abbots holding ecclesiastical administrative positions can be treated as public officials under Thai law. The ruling has returned to attention following the arrest of Phra Vajirayan, also known as Luang Por Chot, the former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya. He is accused of diverting more than 92 million baht in temple funds and allegedly working with a female associate to conceal or launder the money. An earlier Supreme Court judgment found that an abbot who abused his official position to fraudulently obtain funds and commit money laundering was subject to enhanced penalties. Under that precedent, qualifying offences committed through the abuse of an official position can carry up to three times the standard punishment.